The Soul

Understanding the source of our soul and its eternal essence.

One of the foundations of our faith is the belief in the immortality of the soul, and in life after death.

If one believes in God's justice, one must also believe in the immortality of the soul. How can we otherwise reconcile the fact that many righteous individuals suffer in this life?

Just as the unborn child has many endowments which are of no use to it in the womb, but demonstrate that it will be born into a world where they will be used, so does a human being have many endowments which are of little value in this life, which indicate that man will be reborn into a higher dimension after death.

On the physical plane, man is indistinguishable from animals.

Details of immortality are not mentioned in the Torah since revelation only deals with the present world. The prophet therefore says when speaking of the World to Come, "Never has the ear heard it -- no eye has seen it -- other than God: That which He will do for those who hope in Him" (Isaiah 64:3). That is, not even the great prophets were allowed to envision the reward of the righteous in the Ultimate future.

Man shares physio-chemical life processes with animals, and on the physical plane is indistinguishable from them. We therefore speak of man having an "animal soul" (Nefesh HaBehamit) which is contained in the blood, i.e. in the physio-chemical life processes. Regarding this soul, the Torah says, "The life-force of the flesh is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11).

Since this animal soul is what draws man away from the spiritual, it is commonly called the "Evil Urge" (Yetzer Hara) in the Talmud.

Innermost Essence

In addition to his material self, however, man possesses a soul which is unique among all of God's creations. In describing the creation of Adam, the Torah says, "God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils a soul-breath of life (Nishmat Chaim). Man [thus] became a living creature (Nefesh Chaya)" (Genesis 2:7).

The Torah is teaching us that the human soul came directly from God's innermost Essence in the same way that a breath issues forth from a person's lungs and chest cavity. The rest of creation, on the other hand, was created with speech, which is a lower level, for just as sound waves are generated by a person but do not contain any air from the lungs, so the rest of creation emanates from God's Power but not from His Essence.

Three Parts

The soul consists of three parts which are called by the Hebrew names, nefesh, ruach and neshama. The word neshama is a cognate of nesheema, which means literally "breath." Ruach means "wind." Nefesh comes from the root nafash, meaning "rest," as in the verse, "On the seventh day, [God] ceased work and rested (nafash)." (Exodus 31:17).

God's exhaling a soul can be compared to a glassblower forming a vessel. The breath (neshama) first leaves his lips, travels as a wind (ruach) and finally comes to rest (nefesh) in the vessel. Of these three levels of the soul, neshama is therefore the highest and closes to God, while nefesh is that aspect of the soul residing in the body. Ruach stands between the two, binding man to his spiritual Source. It is for this reason that Divine Inspiration is called Ruach HaKodesh in Hebrew.

The neshama is affected only by thought, the ruach by speech, and the nefesh by action.

Decomposition of the Body

All souls were created at the beginning of time, and are stored in a celestial treasury until the time of birth.

The soul has its first attachment to the body from the moment of conception, and remains with it until the moment of death. Death is thus often referred to in Hebrew as "departure of the soul" (Yetziat HaNeshama).

We are taught that immediately after death the soul is in a state of great confusion. It is therefore customary to stay near a dying person, so that he not die alone.

The disembodied soul is intensely aware of the physical surroundings of its body. This is especially true before the body is buried. The soul then literally mourns for its body for seven days. This is alluded to in the verse, "His soul mourns for him" (Job 14:22).

For the first 12 months after death, the soul hovers over the body.

For the first 12 months after death, until the body decomposes, the soul has no permanent resting place and thus experiences acute disorientation. It therefore hovers over the body. During this time, the soul is aware of and identifies with the decomposition of the body. The Talmud thus teaches us that "Worms are as painful to the dead as needles in the flesh of the living, as it is written (Job 14:22), 'His flesh grieves for him'." Most commentaries write that this refers to the psychological anguish of the soul in seeing its earthly habitation in a state of decay. The Kabbalists call this Chibut HaKever, "punishment of the grave."

We are taught that what happens to the body in the grave can be even more painful than Gehenom. This experience is not nearly as difficult for the righteous, however, since they never consider their worldly body overly important.

Eternal Reward

This is part of the judgment of the soul which occurs during the first year after death. Aside from this, the souls of the wicked are judged for 12 months after death, while others are judged for a lesser time.

It is for this reason that the Kaddish is said for the first 11 months in order not to depict him as an evildoer. For this same reason, when mentioning a parent's name during the first year after death, one should say, "May I be an atonement for his/her resting place" (Hareini Kapparat Mishkavo/a).

After death, the soul is cleansed in a spiritual fire.

The main judgment after death is in Gehenom, where the soul is cleansed in a spiritual fire, and purified so that it can receive its eternal reward.

The souls of the righteous are able to progress higher and higher in the spiritual dimension. Regarding this, the prophet was told, "If you go in My ways… then I will give you a place to move among [the angels] standing here" (Zechariah 3:7). God was showing the prophet a vision of stationary angels, and telling him that he would be able to move among them. While angels are bound to their particular plane, man can move and progress from level to level. This is also alluded to in the verse, "The dust returns to the dust as it was, but the spirit returns to God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

Some authorities maintain that what the sages called Olam Haba (the "Future World" or "World to Come") refers to the spiritual dimension that the soul enters after leaving the body. The majority, however, consider Olam Haba as a completely new stage of earth life which will be ushered in only after the Messianic Age and the Resurrection of the Dead. According to these authorities, all souls pass into an intermediate dimension called Olam HaNeshamot ("World of Souls") after death. It is there that they are judged and then abide until the resurrection and final judgment.

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About the Author

Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan was a multi-faceted, prolific exponent of Jewish thought -- skilled in both Kabbalah and Jewish law, as well as the natural sciences (he was listed in "Who’s Who in Physics"). He suffered an untimely death at age 48.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 16

(13)
Adrienne Shwarzman,
November 27, 2016 7:31 PM

My husband died on May 12th, 2016 and I buried him in Israel where he was born. My husband came to me in my sleep on shabbat morning 5 1/2 months after he died right before I woke up from my sleep. He didn't talk to me just appeared stood in a long robe. His face looked like he has be tortured. I was talking to hashem and asking him from the time my husband died until the morning he appeared to me to visit me in my sleep. I think my husband appeared to reassure me that he is okay. i just wonder if my husband finished his cleansing of his soul after 51/2 months or did hashem let him come to me just to help me deal with my grief. someone in my shul told me that the soul gets to rest of shabbat in the middle of cleaning his soul and I wonder if that was the case. Thank kyou

(12)
LISA,
May 16, 2016 4:49 AM

?

Are you telling me that my father that just passed on-so I thought 2 days ago is going to be stuck watching his body and that he is not at peace like we thought. That seems cruel especially since his loved ones including my dear sweet mother -OBM was wanting him to go with him?

(11)
Eugenio Williams,
May 20, 2014 11:22 AM

very analogical and clear.

The analogy regarding the glass blower as it relates to the soul is useful. I'm not clear, however, as to why the soul would mourn for the body for an excessive period of time when inherently knows that it it connected to ultimate life.

(10)
Anonymous,
April 22, 2014 11:45 AM

Would Love to Believe This

I want so much to believe that my wife, who died less than 2 weeks ago, survives in some form...independently, not in someone else's memory. Unfortunately, there is no proof here or elsewhere, only clever speculation and poetry.

Gita,
May 18, 2015 1:04 AM

The soul lives on....

I'm so sorry for your loss - one must remember that beliefs are just that - beliefs - sit quietly and let your wife "speak" to you - remember your souls are always connected - think about all of the stories where during the holocaust those that had been killed came to their family members in a dream, etc and saved their lives by giving them words of advise

(9)
jerry,,
August 15, 2013 6:47 AM

on the soul and god wall,

thank you rabbi, i' enjoyed reading about the soul and you put it very nice, also i' wan't to say thank you for letting me write a message on gods wall, i' wish all of israel peace and peace for all man kind. kind regards, thank you..

(8)
Will,
January 23, 2012 2:34 PM

dif between spirit and soul

thank you for those nice eye-opening words
I noticed that the word soul and spirit have been used interchangebly while i understand that they are two different things.
I would assume that you mean spirit in above article
and would be very grateful to receive words explaining the difference between soul and spirit and how each behaves right before and during and then after death
thank you

(7)
Abraham Stubenhaus,
July 24, 2008 7:08 AM

Thank you Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan!

Thank you Rabbi Kaplan for the numerous times you helped me and inspired me!
May your soul which you teach about here in this dvar Torah, rise to the heights. May Hashem reward you greatly for all the encouragement and knowledge you taught me, Amen.

Jacob,
May 13, 2013 4:28 PM

Good Job!

(6)
Elchonon Kranz,
June 19, 2007 12:06 PM

The above article states,"For the first 12 months after death, the soul hovers over the body." My question is how does this match up with research into near death experiences (NDEs) which seem to depict the soul as almost immediately traveling through a tunnel with a light at the end of it away from the earth plane? Please understand, I'm not questioning the words of Chazal. I'm just wondering if there is a way that both scenarios can somehow be true?A. Somehow the soul hovers the body for 12 months.B. Somehow immediately after death the soul has this experience of being pulled away from the earth plane.I know a frum cardilogist who told me that a frum patient of his had a typical NDE while he was ressusitating him.Please ask someone knowledgeable in these matters on my behalf (like a reputable Kabbalist). I need to have a handle on the answer for important kiruv work that I'm likely to be doing after the summer.Thank you,Elchonon

Anonymous,
May 21, 2012 2:10 AM

Did you ever get your answer?

(5)
Patterson Naut,
June 21, 2006 12:00 AM

The real Truth is hidden behind the FLESH...

For 24 years i've been searching the real me and finally this is what i've been searching for. I finally realised that my "Name" and "Appearance" is not the "real me". Thanks to this page for leading me to the inner core of my destiny. THANK YOU from "THE ISLANDS OF THE SEA"(VANUATU).

(4)
Michele Albertson,
March 20, 2005 12:00 AM

Great article

Rabbi Kaplan, this is one of many great writings I have seen. A great insight and helpful in understanding.
G-d bless you and your efforts to teach all that will listen.

(3)
Diana,
October 11, 2004 12:00 AM

Fascinating!!!!

Rabbi Kaplan,
Your article describing the source and essence of the soul was both informative and highly inspirational!
Thank you!!

(2)
Miryam,
September 29, 2004 12:00 AM

WOW!!!!!

Rabbi Kaplan, your article has blown me away, its great! It answered some questions I had about our souls during and after death and what our sages say about it. Thank you very much for this article.

I was born with a neuromuscular disease known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy and have been confined to a wheelchair my entire life. Unfortunately my sister and I were raised without any religious instruction or guidance. My father wasn't Jewish and although my mother is, she openly claims to be an atheist. The "good news" is that both my sister and myself - independent of each other and at different times in our lives - realized that we are Jewish and chose to live a Jewish life.

Because of my disability, I'm not always able to attend services on Shabbat, but I always light candles, pray from a Siddur and read the weekly Torah portion. I would like to know whether, considering my situation, if using a computer is allowed during the Sabbath? I found the complete Bible online and since my computer is voice-activated I don't have to struggle to turn pages or continuously ask for assistance.

Thank you to everyone at Aish.com for making it possible for myself and so many others to learn about being Jewish and grow in the most important part of our lives.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Thank you so much for your encouraging words and for sharing your inspiring story.

God gives each of us a set of challenges. To those more capable of conquering difficulties, He gave bigger challenges. A challenge from God is a sign that He cares about us and has confidence in our ability to become great.

It sounds like you're doing great!

As for using the computer on Shabbat, that is prohibited. A foundation of Judaism is that we need to respect God's wishes, even if we think that doing otherwise is "for a good reason." Consider this story:

A king calls in his trusted minister and says: "I have an important mission for you to perform. Go to the neighboring kingdom and meet in the palace with their leaders. But remember one thing - under no circumstances must you remove your shirt during this meeting. Now go and do as I say."

The minister sets off on his merry way and soon arrives at the neighboring kingdom. There he heads straight for the palace where he meets with the King. In the midst of their discussion, he sees some of the king's officers pointing and laughing at him.

"Why are you laughing?" asks the visiting minister.

"Because we've never seen someone with such a pronounced hunchback as yourself," they say.

"What are you talking about? I'm not a hunchback!"

"Of course you are!"

"No I'm not!"

"We'll bet you one million dollars that you are!"

"Fine - I'll gladly take your bet."

"Okay, so take off your shirt and prove it."

At which point the minister remembers the parting words of the king... "under no circumstances must you remove your shirt during the meeting." Yet, the minister reasons, a million dollars would certainly bring added wealth to the king's coffers. I know I'm not a hunchback, so I'll surely win the bet. Of course, under these circumstances the king would approve...

The minister removes his shirt and proudly displays his perfect posture. With pride in his achievement, he holds out his hand, into which is placed a check for one million dollars.

The minister can barely contain his excitement. He quickly ends the meeting and runs back to give the wonderful news to his king. "I earned you a million dollars!" exclaims the minister. "It was easy. I only had to remove my shirt to prove that I wasn't a hunchback."

"You did what?!" shouts the king. "But I told you specifically not to remove your shirt. I trusted that you'd follow instructions, and so I bet the other king $10 million dollars that he couldn't get you to remove your shirt!"

The Torah tells us "Do not add or subtract from the mitzvahs." (Deut. 4:2) Jewish law is a precise metaphysical science. Consider a great work of art. Would you consider adding a few notes to a Bach fugue, or some brushstrokes to a Rembrandt portrait?!

Perfection, by definition, cannot be improved upon. Altering Torah law is an unacceptable implication that God is lacking.

The verse in Psalms 19:8 declares: "Torat Hashem Temimah" - the Torah of God is complete. For just as adding one wire to a transistor radio means it no longer can pick up reception, so too we mustn't tinker with Jewish law. The mitzvahs of God are perfect.

May the Almighty give you strength to continue your growth in Judaism.

In 1315, King Louis X of France called back the Jews who had been expelled a few decades earlier by King Louis IX. This marked a theme in Jewish-French life: expulsions and subsequent invitations to return. The French monarchy was trying to establish their land as the "new Jerusalem," and to fulfill this mission attempted several crusades to Israel. In 1615, King Louis XIII ordered that Christians were forbidden to speak with Jews, upon penalty of death. Eventually, in 1683, King Louis XIV expelled the Jews from the colony of Martinique.

When you experience joy, you feel good because your magnificent brain produces hormones called endorphins. These self-produced chemicals give you happy and joyful feelings.

Research on these biochemicals has proven that the brain-produced hormones enter your blood stream even if you just act joyful, not only when you really are happy. Although the joyful experience is totally imaginary and you know that it didn’t actually happen, when you speak and act as if that imaginary experience did happen, you get a dose of endorphins.

These chemicals are naturally produced by your brain. They are totally free and entirely healthy.

Many people find that this knowledge inspires them to create more joyful moments. It’s not just an abstract idea, but a physical reality.

There is no person on earth so righteous, who does only good and does not sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

Reading the suggestions for ridding oneself of character defects, someone might say, "These are all very helpful for someone who has character defects, but I do not see anything about myself that is defective."

In the above-cited verse, Solomon states what we should all know: no one is perfect. People who cannot easily find imperfections within themselves must have a perception so grossly distorted that they may not even be aware of major defects. By analogy, if a person cannot hear anything, it is not that the whole world has become absolutely silent, but that he or she has lost all sense of hearing and may thus not be able to hear even the loudest thunder.

In his monumental work, Duties of the Heart, Rabbeinu Bachaye quotes a wise man who told his disciples, "If you do not find defects within yourself, I am afraid you have the greatest defect of all: vanity." In other words, people who see everything from an "I am great/right" perspective will of course believe that they do no wrong.

When people can see no faults in themselves, it is generally because they feel so inadequate that the awareness of any personal defects would be devastating. Ironically, vanity is a defense against low self-esteem. If we accept ourselves as fallible human beings and also have a sense of self-worth, we can become even better than we are.

Today I shall...

be aware that if I do not find things within myself to correct, it may be because I am threatened by such discoveries.

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